On Tuesday 7 June [Monday, June 6, 6:45 p.m. EDT] 2011 the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is conducting a scientific forum on the possible health effects of wind turbines.The forum will provide an opportunity for NHMRC to hear the latest international scientific evidence and to engage with stakeholders over the range of issues for which there is public concern. The morning session will be streamed live via the NHMRC website from 8.45 a.m. until midday [EDT 6:45to 10:00 p.m.].

In 2009 NHMRC conducted a rapid review of current scientific literature to determine whether there was a link between wind turbines and adverse health effects. The review considered the potential health impacts of infrasound, noise, electromagnetic interference, shadow flicker and blade glint produced by wind turbines and concluded that, at the time of writing, there was no published scientific evidence to positively link wind turbines with adverse health effects.

Residents living close to wind farms have raised concerns about potential adverse health impacts from wind turbines including nausea, headaches, anxiety and sleep and learning difficulties.

When the NHMRC released its Public Statement it undertook to maintain a watching brief of the scientific evidence. The Wind Farms and Human Health Scientific Forum is part of our commitment to this process.Background documents